Dracula Chapters 5-8 Discussion Questions

NOTE: Your evidence of preparation needs to be about a half page, focusing on a few of the following questions. Include page numbers for textual evidence. Focus on significant questions from the evaluative and interpretative sections.

Factual Questions:
1. Describe Renfield interesting habits.
2. Characterize the relationship between Mina and Lucy.
3. What are the similarities and differences between Mina and Lucy? Specifically, how do each of the characters regard their role as a woman? Please refer to specific quotes and try to show representative traits these characters exemplify.
4. How many forms can Dracula take? (Transformation to a different creature)
5. Who is Renfield? What do we know about him through Dr.Seward, and how is he similar to Dracula?
6. How many times does Dracula feed on Lucy?
7. Where does Dracula hide during the day time? What makes that place ideal for Dracula to hide out?
8. Who is the “New Woman?” Do we seen any women in the text that exemplify the qualities of a “New Woman?”

Interpretive Questions:
1. Why does Lucy's sleep walking worry Mina?
2. What is the significance of the graveyard in this section? See Mr. Swales’ speeches.
3. How do both Lucy and Mina view their relationships with men?
4. How is the good vs. evil theme developed in this section?
5. Is Dracula (the character) evil? Why? (you would need to define evil to answer this question)
6. Why does Dracula targets Lucy particularly?
7. How does Dracula play with Lucy's mind? Is she unconscious in her sleep or do you think she is aware of what is happening?
8. How does the moonlight, the storm and the weather foreshadow the events that happen in Dracula?
9. What is the significance of the relationship between Renfield and Dracula?

Evaluative Questions
1. How does Stoker’s use of romance typify Victorian relationships?
2. What is the significance of the weather in this section?
3. Why does Dracula choose Lucy as his first victim?
4. How does Lucy epitomize the Victorian woman?
5. Is Lucy a positive role model for women?

Other:
1. Is the way Stoker tells the story in this section (journals, letters, news articles) effective? Why or why not?
2. What is the significance of Stoker’s use of color? Consider Dracula and his victims.
3. Why does Stoker continually point out Lucy's youth and attractiveness?

Here are questions for the OPE - they may repeat questions from above:

1. What is a “New Woman?” (see ch. 8, page 86) Do we seen any women in the text that exemplify the qualities of a “New Woman?”
2. How is the good vs. evil theme developed in this section? (necessary)
3. Is Dracula (the character) evil? Why? (you need to define evil to answer this question, but base you definition on textual evidence)
4. Are there any themes in Dracula that can be compared to those in Macbeth and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

Evaluative Questions

2. What is the significance of the weather in this section?
3. Why does Dracula choose Lucy as his first victim?
4. How does Lucy epitomize the Victorian woman?


Other:

2. What is the significance of Stoker’s use of color? Consider Dracula and his victims.
3. Why does Stoker continually point out Lucy's youth and attractiveness?